Boxing
Eddie Hearn: Lewis Ritson score 'a disgrace of a card'
Eddie Hearn called for an investigation into judge Terry O’Connor after controversy over the scoring of the fight between Lewis Ritson and Miguel Vazquez.
Ritson defeated Vazquez on a points decision that was called into question, though that was not the only source of criticism from observers.
Vazquez had convinced many that he had secured an upset over Ritson in their fight on Saturday evening, but judge Michael Alexander gave the bout 115-113 in favour of the Englishman, and O’Connor gave a score of 117-111 against Vazquez. The margin of victory awarded drew plenty of questions, and third judge Marcus McDonnal gave it 116-113 in favour of Vazquez.
Even Ritson’s Matchroom promoter, Eddie Hearn, believed that Vazquez was the winner on the night in Peterborough.
Speaking to IFL TV, Hearn said: “117-111 to Ritson was a disgrace of a card.
“And it’s terrible for the sport. People have got to be accountable for bad decisions.
“If you’re in a job and you don’t perform well, then you’ve got to face consequences.”
There was further controversy when a photo emerged that appeared to show O’Connor using his phone during the eighth round of the fight.
Hearn remarked: “If that’s a phone, and I presume it is, then then BBBofC should immediately remove him.”
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman also called into question the scoring, tweeting: “This image is troubling to any person involved in boxing.”
